Blurry exhaust issue.

[Firefighter1019]

So is there some trick how to NOT capture exhaust heat from trains? Or should I stick to trains standing still?

-Blurry
-Bad contrast


http://www.railpictures.net/images/d...1398366988.jpg

[conrail1990]

Not really, unless the locomotives aren't working at all.

[troy12n]

That reject's not due to exhaust heat, that's due to you not holding the camera still, or having too slow of a shutter speed. RP usually dont reject because of exhaust heat.

[Firefighter1019]

Originally Posted by troy12n

That reject's not due to exhaust heat, that's due to you not holding the camera still, or having too slow of a shutter speed. RP usually dont reject because of exhaust heat.

Going through my series of pics and right before this shot the train was pushing thick black exhasut. The blur is def from the heat because the after shots as it got closer are completely fine.

Sloppy crop of black smoke
https://www.flickr.com/photos/123313...3/13996548371/

[conrail1990]

Originally Posted by Firefighter1019

Going through my series of pics and right before this shot the train was pushing thick black exhasut. The blur is def from the heat because the after shots as it got closer are completely fine.

Sloppy crop of black smoke
https://www.flickr.com/photos/123313...3/13996548371/

The image is still really soft. Look at the ballast and rocks on the right.

[Firefighter1019]

Im noticing the contrast issue now on my work computer. Think my laptop screen is either going or needs to be calibrated. Three different screens and all 3 make the image look completely different.

[troy12n]

Originally Posted by Firefighter1019

Going through my series of pics and right before this shot the train was pushing thick black exhasut. The blur is def from the heat because the after shots as it got closer are completely fine.

Sloppy crop of black smoke
https://www.flickr.com/photos/123313...3/13996548371/

What shutter speed?

Give me the details on the shot: shutter speed, ISO, aperture... give us something to work with here

Like I said, RP dont usually reject for exhaust blur, and your photo is soft all around. Give me the data I am looking for, and I will tell you what you did wrong

[coborn35]

Loco exhaust is actually desirable in a photo.

[Firefighter1019]

Originally Posted by troy12n

What shutter speed?

Give me the details on the shot: shutter speed, ISO, aperture... give us something to work with here

Like I said, RP dont usually reject for exhaust blur, and your photo is soft all around. Give me the data I am looking for, and I will tell you what you did wrong

Ok so I was shooting on a tripod with sun behind me.

(Fstop f/9) (ISO-100) (shutter 1/200)

Remainder of my photos are completely fine. Started with the smoke puff maybe 15-20 feet later No blur no exhaust fumes just clear clean shot. Except for the lead engine being head on camera which is the reason I didnt submit that one.

[Firefighter1019]

Originally Posted by coborn35

Loco exhaust is actually desirable in a photo.

Think I should crop and clean up and try the black exhaust shot then?

[Mgoldman]

Originally Posted by Firefighter1019

Going through my series of pics and right before this shot the train was pushing thick black exhasut. The blur is def from the heat because the after shots as it got closer are completely fine.

The whole image appears to be soft even to the point of calling it blurry.

It's a legitimate rejection, one I'm surprised you can not see.

Heat distortion works when the distortion (blur) is where it's suppose to be, not the entire shot leaving not even the nose out of focus.

Just because closer shots are in focus does not mean the blur was from heat - it could be a depth of field issue or your focus point not being where it should've been to properly focus the engine when it was further back. Maybe it started to hunt? Maybe as the train came closer it came into focus. Either way, and even if it was heat distortion, it's not an appealing photo because of the blur.

/Mitch

[Mgoldman]

Originally Posted by Firefighter1019

Think I should crop and clean up and try the black exhaust shot then?

There ya go.

/Mitch

[conrail1990]

Originally Posted by Firefighter1019

(ISO-100) (shutter 1/200)

Well there's your problem. Try a higher shutter (1/640) with a higher ISO (400)

[troy12n]

Originally Posted by Firefighter1019

Ok so I was shooting on a tripod with sun behind me.

(Fstop f/9) (ISO-100) (shutter 1/200)

Remainder of my photos are completely fine. Started with the smoke puff maybe 15-20 feet later No blur no exhaust fumes just clear clean shot. Except for the lead engine being head on camera which is the reason I didnt submit that one.

F8 and be there...

Try to strive for F8 and 1/400 as the slowest shutter speed for moving stuff. Up your ISO to get there, if you have any sort of modern DSLR, it should be able to handle it. I try to do 1/500 or faster when I can.

F9? Why? No need, F8 is sufficient for a shot like that
ISO 100? Why?
1/200? Why, too slow. That's motion blur, not exhaust blur.

ISO 200 or better, coupled with F8 will give you the ability to go for a faster shutter speed, which is what you need

[Firefighter1019]

Originally Posted by troy12n

F8 and be there...

Try to strive for F8 and 1/400 as the slowest shutter speed for moving stuff. Up your ISO to get there, if you have any sort of modern DSLR, it should be able to handle it. I try to do 1/500 or faster when I can.

F9? Why? No need, F8 is sufficient for a shot like that
ISO 100? Why?
1/200? Why, too slow. That's motion blur, not exhaust blur.

ISO 200 or better, coupled with F8 will give you the ability to go for a faster shutter speed, which is what you need

I had my settings higher but not what you suggested. My brother said he used my camera while I was scoping out a spot and he changed the settings on me by accident. Ha
But im gonna try and shoot what you suggest next time. Thanks

[JimThias]

Originally Posted by Firefighter1019

So is there some trick how to NOT capture exhaust heat from trains? Or should I stick to trains standing still?

-Blurry
-Bad contrast


http://www.railpictures.net/images/d...1398366988.jpg

Should also be high sun and unlevel (leaning to the right).

[Firefighter1019]

Originally Posted by JimThias

Should also be high sun and unlevel (leaning to the right).

I gave up on this image. After looking at it I completely see ALL my issues with it. lol

[Chris Z]

Photoshop CC has shake reduction. It can somewhat fix blurry shots. I played around with your photo and came up with this. I'm still familiarizing myself with it and still not sure on how to get optimum results.



Chris Z